Afghan Taliban claim about attack on r
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday said the Afghan Taliban regime is peddling yet another falsehood by alleging that Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. “This claim is entirely baseless,” said the minister in a news statement. “Pakistan, in its ongoing war against terrorism, is engaging only those military and terrorist targets, along withthe infrastructure of the Afghan Taliban regime, that are being directly or indirectly used to plan, facilitate,shelter, train, or abet terrorist attacks inside Pakistan,” Atta Tarar emphasized. He said the strikes carried out on the night of 16 March 2026 in Kabul and Nangarhar were precise, deliberate, and professional. Tarar said the targets were military and terrorist infrastructure, including ammunition and technical equipment storage sites and other installations linked to hostile activity against Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
March 19, 2026 11:09 UTC
Pakistan rejects India's baseless statement on anti-terror action
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected the baseless, misleading, and unwarranted statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan’s ongoing action against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said this on Wednesday while responding to media queries regarding a statement issued yesterday by the Ministry of External Affairs of India. He said against the backdrop of India’s active sponsorship of terrorism directed at Pakistan from Afghan soil, as well as its historical role as a spoiler, this statement merely reflects India’s blatant hypocrisy and duplicity. The Foreign Office said India must refrain from supporting and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, including those listed under the UN Security Council sanctions list. In this regard, India should cease its misplaced lament over Pakistan’s successful counter-terrorism measures.
Source:The Patriot
March 19, 2026 11:09 UTC
Saudi Arabia announces Eid-ul-Fitr on March 20 as Shawwal
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has officially announced that Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Friday, March 20, after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted anywhere in the Kingdom. Authorities convened moon-sighting committees and observatories in various cities to search for the crescent marking the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. Shawwal moon sightingThe Saudi Supreme Court had earlier called upon citizens and residents to participate in the moon sighting and report any credible observations. Despite these appeals and widespread monitoring, no verified testimony of the crescent sighting was received from any part of the country. Following the review process, the Supreme Court formally declared that the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH will fall on Friday, March 20, marking the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr across Saudi Arabia.
Source:The Patriot
March 19, 2026 11:09 UTC
We won the battle of justice because of the Field Marshal: SK Niazi
India took advantage of bad relations with Afghanistan: Zia Ijaz ul Haq, America and Israel made a big mistake by attacking Iran: Ijaz MahmoodBy Staff ReporterISLAMABAD: Editor In Chief Pakistan Group of Newspaper and Chairman Roze News SK Niazi while talking in his renowned talk show Sachi Baat, terrorism is spreading from Afghanistan to Pakistan, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan gave me a gold medal, we won the battle of justice because of the Field Marshal, we went to Afghanistan with Ijaz ul Haq, at that time, Ijaz-ul-Haq brokered peace, the situation between America and Israel is not good, all of Pakistan’s money is going out, that money should come back, If foreign money comes back, the country’s economy will improve, government should reduce taxes, Ejaz Sahib, you should play a role in resolving the Afghan problem, we should help Iran, all countries have many problems due to war. Muslim League chief Zia Ijaz ul Haq said worried about the situation in the regionWe have had very good relations with Afghanistan, will try to improve situation in Afghanistan after Eid, India took advantage of bad relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan is a nuclear power, If we didn’t have nuclear power, India would have attacked us many times, Afghanistan should eliminate terrorism from its soil, Afghanistan problem should be solved, ready to play my role in resolving Afghan issue, Afghanistan should not allow its territory to be used against Pakistan, we have made great sacrifices for Afghanistan, Iran is still stubborn in the face of America, pays tribute to the British Prime Minister who responded to the US, NATO has also refused to help America, Iran will take revenge on America at any cost, China has become a superpower at this time, Iran is attacking US bases, Pakistan should play its role in US-Iran war, all countries should come together and pressure America to stop the war. Air Vice Marshal (retd) Ijaz Mahmood said Steps must be taken to resolve the Afghanistan issue, Iran is fighting a war for its own protection, Iran is a very brave nation, Iranian citizens are steadfast despite missile attacks, Israel wants to destroy Iran, which it will never succeed in, Ijaz Mahmood regrets Ali Larijani’s martyrdom, the Iranian nation will stand firm despite this, Iran’s attacks on Israel will continue, America and Israel made a big mistake by attacking Iran, Iran is not fighting its own war.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 20:58 UTC
War on Illicit Wealth
For decades, hawala and hundi systems have operated parallel to formal banking channels, offering speed, anonymity, and convenience often at the cost of transparency and legality. While these informal networks have historically served communities with limited banking access, they have increasingly become conduits for illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and capital flight. Equally important is the emphasis on channeling remittances through formal banking systems. However, the government must recognize that simply restricting informal channels is not enough; it must also make formal systems more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective. Pakistan’s economic resilience depends on broadening the tax base, curbing illicit financial flows, and integrating informal sectors into the formal economy.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 19:11 UTC
Hosting Afghan refugees for decades
ISLAMABAD : Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said that hosting Afghan refugees for decades is the gravest mistake of Pakistan in its 78 years history. Khawaja Asif said that the claim of targeting a hospital is coming from those who orchestrate attacks on mosques. The Defence Minister said that drug trafficking is their [Afghan Taliban] source of income. Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan not only gave them shelter but even confronted a superpower for their sake. It hosted their three generations which has been the gravest mistake of Pakistan.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 11:13 UTC
CTD kills key BLA commander in Karachi operation
KARACHI, (APP):The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed a major success against the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), stating that a key commander of the group was killed during an operation in Shah Latif Town. However, subsequent intelligence analysis confirmed his identity as Sohail Baloch, also known as “Gark”. CTD stated that Sohail Baloch was a key commander of the BLA’s major squad and had earlier been associated with the Baloch Liberation Front before joining the BLA in 2022. He was reportedly involved in planning several major terrorist attacks and was responsible for coordination, as well as provision of weapons and logistical support. CTD further claimed that Sohail Baloch maintained contacts with key militant figures and had dispatched five suicide bombers for the Jaffar Express attack.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 11:13 UTC
Trump faces impasse over Iran war
WASHINGTON:Having failed to clearly define an objective or exit strategy – and sell the American public on a new war in Iran – President Donald Trump finds himself at an impasse, mere weeks into the conflict. Iran, though severely weakened militarily and politically by an onslaught of airstrikes that began February 28, has voiced no intention to surrender. As the war entered its third week, oil prices soared as violence spread throughout the Middle East, from Lebanon to the Gulf – including attacks on the hard-won US embassy in Iraq. In a rare admission, Trump said Monday that he was surprised by the Iranian reprisals targeting Gulf countries – from Saudi Arabia to Qatar – despite Tehran’s repeated warnings. “They weren’t supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East,” Trump said of Iran.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 11:13 UTC
Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani martyred in Israeli strike
TEHRAN: Iran state media has confirmed that security chief Ali Larijani has been martyred in an Israeli strike on Tuesday. In a statement carried by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news, the country’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the assassination of Larijani, after Israel earlier today claimed it killed him in targeted attacks. Earlier, Israel has claimed it has killed Ali Larijani, Iran’s powerful national security chief, in a strike on Tehran, as fresh bombardments hit cities across the Middle East following weeks of escalating conflict. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Larijani was “eliminated last night”, though Iranian authorities have yet to confirm his death. Israel’s announcement came a day after a separate strike reportedly killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ Basij force.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 11:13 UTC
The Afghan Taliban regime is peddling yet another falsehood by
The Afghan Taliban regime is peddling yet another falsehood by alleging that Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Pakistan, in its ongoing war against terrorism, is engaging only those military and terrorist targets, along with the infrastructure of the Afghan Taliban regime, that are being directly or indirectly used to plan, facilitate, shelter, train, or abet terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. The strikes carried out on the night of 16 March 2026 in Kabul and Nangarhar were precise, deliberate, and professional. The real issue remains unchanged: Pakistan, the region, and the wider world continue to face the grave threat of terrorism emanating from territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban regime. That threat has become even more barbaric, with drug addicts and innocent children being exploited for heinous purposes, including suicide bombings.
Source:The Patriot
March 18, 2026 11:13 UTC
Larijani death confirmed by Iranian media
Key strategist’s death adds to instability, raising fears of wider regional escalationIranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani attends a news conference in Damascus, Syria February 16, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERSIranian state media has confirmed on Tuesday late the death of Ali Larijani, following earlier claims by Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel had killed the senior Iranian official in a targeted strike. The confirmation was further reinforced by activity on Larijani’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, which appeared to acknowledge developments surrounding his death. Iranian authorities acknowledged Larijani’s death through official media channels but did not immediately disclose operational details surrounding the incident. Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani's official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack this month. Larijani, 68, was considered a key pillar of Iran’s political and strategic establishment, maintaining close ties with the late Ali Khamenei.
Source:The Express Tribune
March 18, 2026 02:12 UTC
Asia pivots to coal as ME conflict chokes LNG
Asia spot LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs in the second major supply shock in four yearsAsian utilities are boosting coal-fired power generation to cut costs and safeguard energy supply, industry officials say, as the US-Israeli war on Iran chokes liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments and soaring prices threaten to suppress LNG demand. Asia spot LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs in the second major supply shock in four years, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and No2 global exporter Qatar has halted shipments. In South Asia, Bangladesh is increasing coal power generation and coal-fired power imports in March, daily government data shows. "With reduction in LNG generation, plants running on locally mined coal will be able to produce more during off-peak hours," Leghari told Reuters. Natural gas has accounted for a declining share of Asia's power generation for nearly a decade due to surging renewables usage, Ember data shows, despite global energy majors betting billions of dollars on regional LNG demand growth.
Source:The Express Tribune
March 18, 2026 02:11 UTC
Police intensify combing operations
Punjab government has issued security directives for Eidul Fitr, law enforcement agencies intensify operationsThe Punjab government has issued security directives for Eidul Fitr, as law enforcement agencies intensify intelligence-based and combing operations across the province in view of the prevailing security situation. The department directed that a three-tier security plan be implemented for all Eid congregations, with strict monitoring of mosques. Additional personnel, including female police officers, will be deployed at prayer sites, while special pickets will be established at sensitive locations. Bomb disposal squads and the Special Branch have been tasked with carrying out clearance operations prior to Eid prayers. Strict action has been ordered against hate speech and misuse of loudspeakers, while monitoring of proscribed organisations and individuals listed in the Fourth Schedule has been intensified.
Source:The Express Tribune
March 17, 2026 22:43 UTC
From relief to reform
The recent meeting of the Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif through a full video-link session, marks an important shift in the province’s administrative approach. Conducting the cabinet meeting virtually for the first time reflects a conscious attempt by the provincial leadership to promote austerity, efficiency and modern governance. Equally significant was the cabinet’s recognition of the successful implementation of the Ramadan Nigehban Programme, a relief initiative designed to support citizens during the holy month. Beyond austerity and relief measures, the cabinet meeting also focused extensively on development planning. If the administration can maintain fiscal discipline, ensure transparent implementation and prioritise people-centred development, Punjab may well witness a new phase of responsive and accountable governance.
Source:The Patriot
March 17, 2026 21:02 UTC
The harm-heal line
During and after the war, the US and the UK developed major biological weapons programmes. In 1969, President Nixon ended the US biological weapons programme and announced that the US would destroy its existing stockpiles of biological weapons. This announcement led to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention that banned developing, storing or stockpiling biological weapons. Despite years of strong evidence of the USSR building biological weapons, it was not until 1992 that Russian President Boris Yeltsin acknowledged that the accident happened at a biological weapons production facility run by the Soviet military. Researchers working for a biological weapons programme called it "public health in reverse".
Source:The Express Tribune
March 17, 2026 16:47 UTC